The Search for Peace in the North-East

North-East Nigeria, also known as Northeastern Nigeria, has diverse geography, cultures, economies, and significant challenges, particularly regarding peace and security. The northeastern region of Nigeria comprises six states: Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Taraba, and Yobe. The region features diverse landscapes, including savannah, semi-arid areas, and the Sahel. Borno, for instance, is essentially part of the Chad Basin, with Lake Chad marking its northeastern boundary. Northeastern Nigeria is ethnically diverse, with significant groups including the Kanuri, Fulani, Hausa, Babur, and Tangale. The main contributors to Northeastern Nigeria’s economy are agriculture, commercial fishing, and livestock are the main contributors to the region’s economy. It is also rich in natural resources such as gypsum, Bentonite, and Limestone. Despite being a diverse region, the Northeast has been facing decade-long security challenges caused by Boko Haram and Islamic State’s West Africa (ISWAP), which have created a humanitarian crisis, instability, and a search for peace and stability.

The Northeast became the birthplace of an extremist group called Boko Haram when its former leader, Muhammed Yusuf, formed the extremist group in Maiduguri, the capital of Borno state. In its early stages, Boko Haram launched small-scale attacks against the military, police, and religious leaders who criticised the group. In July 2009, Boko Haram became well known in the Northeast during an incident that involved the police allegedly using excessive force on members of the group. This incident led to a five-day violent confrontation that caused 700-1000 deaths and the assassination of Muhammed Yusuf by security forces. Thought to have met its defeat, the group re-emerged in 2010 under the leadership of Abubakar Shekau. Soon after, the Northeast region began to see waves of attacks by the extremist group. This series of insurgencies created a problematic security challenge in the area.

In 2010, the extremist group began its operations by killing individuals, usually police officers, and attacking larger targets. They began to gather momentum later that year when they attacked a prison in the city of Bauchi, freeing more than 730 inmates. In the same year, on Christmas Eve, Boko Haram bombed two churches in Maiduguri, claiming the lives of at least six people. Under Abubakar Shekau, Boko Haram expanded its territory and the scope of its grievances. Civilians increasingly became targets of its atrocities as the extremist group developed sophisticated combat and propaganda tactics. As Boko Haram carried out its destructive activities across the North-East region, the government in 2013 had to declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe, and Adamawa. In April 2014, the extremist group gained international notoriety when it abducted 267 schoolgirls from Chibok, a town in Borno state. The peak years of Boko Haram’s violent happenings were 2014 and 2015. Boko Harm was responsible for events that caused 8000 fatalities in 2014 and approximately 9000 deaths in 2015. Despite losing much ground in 2015 through a coordinated military effort by the Nigerian government and more significant regional and international support, Boko Haram has still proven to be formidable. Despite their ideological split, which saw one of their members, Abu Mus’ab Barnawi, form a splinter group and side with ISWAP and the Shekaku faction adopted the Jama’tu Ahlis Sunna Liddai’awati wal-Jihad (JAS), they are still a menace to civilians. The conflict between JAS and ISWAP threatens civilian security in the North-East region of Nigeria.

The humanitarian crisis that has risen in North-East Nigeria because of the havoc caused by insurgency is a sad tale. The current intra-conflict between Boko Haram (now JAS) and ISWAP has destroyed lives and properties and displaced millions of people. According to the International Organization for Migration, before 2021, Borno State experienced the highest number of internally displaced people (IDP), with a peak of 1,1,66,533. Adamawa state also recorded a significant increase in IDP (174901) before 2021. Across all states in the Northeast, IDP has had a substantial decline, with Bauchi observing a slight rise in 2024. Due to the terrorist acts of non-state actors (JAS and ISWAP), the mortality rate in the Northeast has risen significantly. Between 2011-2023 Boko Haram have been responsible for thousands of deaths in Nigeria, Cameroon and Chad. Nigeria is the most affected, with states in the Northeast recording the highest number of deaths. As stated earlier, in April 2014, Boko Haram kidnapped more than 200 schoolgirls. As of 2021, 100 of these schoolgirls are still missing, with some believed to have lost their lives.

The government of Nigeria has taken extra measures to ensure the defeat of terrorist groups (JAS and ISWAP). Through a series of successful military campaigns and support from international bodies, the government has been able to significantly reduce the terrorist activities of non-state actors (JAS and ISWAP). The effectiveness of military operations against terrorist acts improved between 2015 and 2017, and the government was able to reclaim areas once occupied by Boko Haram and push the group to more minor regions. However, their victories have been short-lived because these non-state actors have proven resilient. Their ability to still launch small-scale attacks dent the claims that these non-state actors have technically been defeated. As the search for peace and stability continues and the people attempt to return to their livelihoods, the threat of non-state actors is still very much real. There have been reports of attacks and unlawful killings of IDPs, returnees, and host communities. As of January 1 and April 29, 2024, 413 individuals have been affected by indiscriminate attacks by non-state actors, 207 civilians have been attacked and 206 abductions and forced disappearance of men, girls and boys. This makes it difficult for communities to be self-resilient and restart their lives.

The resilience of non-state actors signals the failure of the government. Though there have been successful military campaigns, the military alone cannot end insurgency in the Northeast. The government have failed to address root causes, such as economic downturns and border controls. According to Transparency International, Abuja, weak security and surveillance around the nation’s border contributes significantly to terrorism. Boko Haram and ISWAP operate in Chad, Niger and Cameroon. The weakness of border security allows these terrorists to move freely almost undetected, threatening peace and security in the North-East region. The heavy-handedness of the military and their failure to distinguish between terrorists and regular citizens have contributed to the struggle against insurgency and a never-ending search for peace and stability.

To counter terrorism successfully and restore peace and stability to the Northeast, governments on all levels need to work together to address the root causes of insurgency. Youth empowerment is a way to counter insurgency. Once jobs are created and youths are allowed to put their skills to good use, this will dampen terrorists’ chances of recruitment. Small-medium enterprises should be allowed to grow as this will alleviate poverty in the region. The government should collaborate with every state that will allow the inflow of economic activities to counter poverty. There should be a focus on infrastructural development as this will significantly contribute to job creation. The government should work with development partners to enhance and deepen the technical capacity of the customs office to identify and profile people who go through state borders. Partnering with neighbouring countries to ensure proper border management will help reduce the inflow of terrorists and restore peace and stability to the region.